<p> With the aging older adult population increasing, there is a need to educate and enhance caregivers network for support and to provide resources so caregivers will not feel burned out transitioning into the new life style. Caregiving can be a stressful job on top of one&rsquo;s own responsibilities, which can lead to caregivers getting sick, as well as struggling at their own job. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to design educational workshops and to enhance awareness to caregivers for support aimed at increasing knowledge and utilization of existing services within Torrance, California to avoid burnout amongst caregivers and increase their coping skills. This project was developed on behalf of GetTogether Adult Day Healthcare Center. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant were not required for the successful completion of this thesis project.</p>

Integrated primary and behavioral health care (PBHC) programs in community mental health (CMH) settings is a topic of burgeoning interest in the current literature. These settings aim to counter the health discrepancies and inordinate mortality of persons with serious mental illness (SMI) and comorbid medical conditions. Within the SMI population, the most prevalent diagnosis is Major Depression (MDD). MDD has been well studied in the literature and has been associated with increased rates of physical health conditions. Research has correlated higher levels of social support to lower levels of psychological distress and increased physical health. This cross-sectional, descriptive study examines interrelationships among physical health, health-risk factors, psychosocial characteristics, and social support in individuals with the mood disorder MDD who are receiving integrated care in community mental health settings. A de-identified data set was utilized to examine results of 407 individuals with MDD receiving integrated PBHC in CMH settings. An integrated PBHC data set is a relevant addition to the research on MDD and social support because neither of these areas has been adequately addressed in the previous literature. The results have implications for not only the impact of social support and treatment of MDD but for the increased implementation of these programs.

<p> The Resource Family Approval (RFA) program replaces the current pathways for approving, certifying, or licensing relatives and foster families in California and creates a single process for assessing and approving caregivers for children, youth, and non-minor dependents under the supervision of child welfare or probation systems. Five counties comprise the first cohort of RFA early implementers, three of which participated in this research: San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Clara. The purpose of the study was to examine the RFA program through qualitative interviews with county representatives to identify themes and lay a foundation for future research. All three participants reported fewer complaints against resource families and improved placement stability, preliminary indicators that RFA is achieving improvements in child safety, permanence, and well-being. This research provides qualitative support for the RFA program&rsquo;s impact on child welfare outcomes as well as guidance to counties planning for statewide implementation.</p>

No description available.

No description available.

<p> Child welfare workers in the County of Santa Barbara are tasked with ensuring the well-being and safety of the children and families they serve, often victims traumatized by the effects of abuse and neglect. In the execution of their duties to protect and serve their clients, these child welfare workers often experience occupational burnout and secondary traumatic stress (STS). This is in turn affects their ability to serve their clients effectively, placing this vulnerable population at further risk of harm. The goal of the Reflective Supervision Pilot Program (RSPP) is to provide reflective supervision to these child welfare workers to alleviate the job burnout and STS they experience, which may also lead to their intent to leave the child welfare department. There is much evidence to support the effectiveness of reflective supervision in addressing and alleviating symptoms of burnout and STS. The potential funding source for this grant is the Santa Barbara Foundation (SBF), which supports and funds community programs that enrich the lives of its residents and strengthens the fabric of the community. The actual submission and funding of this grant were not requirements for the successful completion of this project.</p>

Minority populations often have more negative attitudes toward the police than their White counterparts. This study explored the differences between Black college students attitudes towards the police in comparison to White college students. Using a sample of 1,108 students from a traditional flagship university and a Historically Black College University, the study sought to seek out differences in attitudes toward the police based on race, social work student status, and university history. Results indicated a significant difference between Black students attitudes toward the police when compared with their White student counterparts. Results also indicated a significant difference in attitudes toward the police when comparing university history

<p> After years of research and efforts to enhance mental health treatment, transition-age youth (TAY) with a history of child welfare involvement continue to make the transition to adulthood with high rates of mental illness. Consequently, there is significant risk of adverse life experiences including homelessness, substance abuse, criminal activity, and poverty. Existing literature indicates TAY often disengage from services due to stigma associated with traditional mental health services. Growing research supports use of yoga and mindfulness therapy as a complementary alternative treatment to improve mental and emotional well-being. The purpose of this project was to write a grant application to fund the creation and implementation of an evidence-based yoga and mindfulness therapy program to enhance positive mental and emotional well-being by increasing ability to self-regulate emotions, strengthen coping mechanisms, support resilience, and positively reengage TAY in services. Submission for funding was not required to successfully complete this project.</p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to locate a potential funding source and write a grant for early mental health services for children 0 to 5 years old exposed to interpersonal violence. An extensive literature review was conducted to understand the impact of interpersonal violence on young children, as well as evidence-based therapies for this population.</p><p> The goals of the proposed program are to strengthen the parent-child bond and thus minimize the child&rsquo;s emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues caused by interpersonal violence. Parent-child therapy would be provided in the home so that the child is in a familiar environment and the parent can witness positive parenting skills, as taught by the therapist in a real world scenario.</p><p> The John and Lisa Pritzker family fund was chosen to support the program. The actual submission of the grant was not a requirement of the thesis project.</p>

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of cognitive behavioral coping skills procedures on an African American male, with a history of alcohol consumption on a daily basis, diagnosed with end stage renal disease. A single system research design was used. It was found that a 12 week session of cognitive behavioral coping skills reduced the alcohol consumption of the client.